Tate’s Ward Signs Basketball Scholarship With Palm Beach State
May 9, 2013
Tate High School senior point guard Jardae Ward has signed a scholarship with Palm Beach State College. She signed her scholarship in the school’s Fryman Gym in front her teammates, ROTC members and classmates. Pictured: Jardae Ward (left) signs her Palm Beach State College scholarship as her mother, Gwendolyn Ward, looks on. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Suns Even Series With 3-1 Win Over Wahoos
May 9, 2013
For the second straight day, it was Christian Yelich who provided the bulk of the Suns offense, as Jacksonville defeated the Blue Wahoos 3-1 at Bragan Field on Wednesday afternoon. Despite a strong start by Wahoos lefty Ryan Dennick, the Suns prevailed to even the series at one game apiece.
Yelich broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the eighth inning with a two-run home run to right-center field off Blue Wahoos reliever Shaun Ellis. Pensacola had tied the game in the top of the inning when Ryan LaMarre scored from first on a bloop double down the left field line by Joe Mather. It was his second hit of the game.
Jacksonville plated their first run in the sixth inning when Yelich scored from second on a double by Kyle Jensen. It was the only run that Dennick allowed in the game.
Ellis (L, 0-1) was tagged with the loss after allowing the home run in the eighth inning. Despite giving up the lone Wahoos run, Scott McGough (W, 3-0) earned the win for Jacksonville. Both starters pitched well, though neither got a decision. Dennick gave up just the one run over six innings with four strikeouts for Pensacola. For the Suns, Sam Dyson pitched five shutout innings and allowed four hits.
Offensively, Travis Mattair picked up another two-hit game with a 2-for-4 afternoon. He has now hit safely in five straight.
Pensacola and Jacksonville will continue their series Thursday night from the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. First pitch is slated for 6:05 p.m. CT. Pensacola will start RHP Daniel Renken (1-2, 3.07) against Suns RHP Matt Neil (0-2, 4.79).
Chiefs Beat Paxton In Region 1-1A Semifinals
May 8, 2013
The Northview Chiefs scored seven runs in the final two innings Tuesday night to beat Paxton 8-3 in the Region 1-1A semifinal.
A couple of errors and three hits let to four runs in the top of the sixth for the Northview Chiefs, plus Chad Smith and Jason Freeman had singles. In the top of the seventh, the Chiefs scored three more unearned runs on errors by the Bobcats.
Northview will travel to Holmes County (Bonifay) in the regional finals at 7 p.m. Friday. Holmes County is coming off a 4-2 semi-final win over Central. Admission will be $7 for all ages.
Blue Wahoos Go 13 Innings To Down Jacksonville Suns
May 8, 2013
The third time was the charm for the Blue Wahoos on Tuesday night at Bragan Field at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. Pensacola took the lead in the game’s potential final inning three times before hanging on for the 5-4 win over the Jacksonville Suns. It is the second-straight win for the Blue Wahoos after snapping the longest losing streak of the season on Sunday.
Jacksonville’s Christian Yelich was the story of the game for the Suns. He accounted for two of the Suns four runs by going 5-for-6 and finishing a double shy of the cycle, despite hitting a pair of triples. His first three-bagger led to the game’s first run against Wahoos starter Chad Rogers in the bottom of the first inning.
Pensacola drew even when Tucker Barnhart singled home Ryan LaMarre in the fourth inning. Jacksonville reclaimed the lead in the sixth, when Derek Dietrich scored on a hit by pitch of Audy Ciriaco with the bases loaded. Three straight walks opened the inning, but Dietrich’s run was all the Wahoos would allow the Suns to score. Lee Hyde picked off Ciriaco at first for the second out before coaxing a groundout by Noah Perio to end the threat.
The Blue Wahoos quickly answered by taking advantage of a leadoff double from Bryson Smith in the top of the seventh. Michael Gilmartin delivered an RBI single which plated Smith and tied the game at two. Pensacola took its first lead of the game in the top of the ninth. Steve Selsky brought home Smith from second with a base hit. The Suns drew even in the bottom of the ninth with three hits against Wahoos reliever Drew Hayes to tie the game at 3-3 and force extra innings.
After each team traded zeros in the 10 th and 11 th innings, Pensacola broke through against Jacksonville reliever Collin Cargill with a run in the 12 th. Again, it was a leadoff hit that led to a run as it was with the previous two runs. Brodie Greene led the inning off with a single, and scored on a soft roller up the first base line from Barnhart that was misplayed by Suns first baseman Mark Canha. Yelich then homered in the bottom of the 12 th to send the game to the 13 th when Pensacola reclaimed the lead for the final time.
Gilmartin drew a leadoff walk and scored from second on another Greene single. That proved to be the game-winner as Wilkin De La Rosa retired the Suns in order to end the game. Despite allowing the home run to Yelich, De La Rosa earned the win. Cargill gave up the Wahoos runs in the 12 th and 13 th and was saddled with the loss. Blue Wahoos starter Chad Rogers got a no-decision after working five innings, allowing just one run and matching his career-high with eight strikeouts.
Pensacola and Jacksonville will continue their series with a matinee on Wednesday from the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. First pitch is slated for 12:05 p.m. CT. Pensacola will start LHP Ryan Dennick (1-2, 3.86) against Suns RHP Sam Dyson (0-2, 2.96).
story by Tommy Thrall
Century Council Honors Northview’s State Ranked Weightlifters
May 7, 2013
The Century Town Council presented proclamations Monday night honoring two Northview High School weightlifting team members that recently placed at the state 1-A finals in Kissimmee.
LaMikal Kyles finished eighth in the state in the 183-pound class with a total of 560 pounds, an improvement over his 535 pound total at regionals. Kyles, weighing in at 172.5 pounds, had a bench press of 310 pounds and a clean jerk of 250 pounds — all personals bests.
In the 199-pound class, Arkelle Elliot finished 11th in the state with a total of 575 pounds. Weighing in at 198.9 pounds, Elliot had a best bench press of 330 pounds and a clean jerk of 245 pounds — all matching his personal best records.
Pictured top are Northview Assistant Principal Gerry Pippins, Principal Gayle Weaver, Football Head Coach Sid Wheatley, LaMikal Kyles, Mayor Freddie McCall and NHS Coach Derek Marshman at Monday night’s Century Town Council meeting. Pictured below are the same individuals with Arkelle Elliot. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FHSAA: High School Athletes ‘Spared’ Negative Legislation
May 7, 2013
Florida High School Athletic Association Executive Director Roger Dearing called it “gratifying” that the legislative session ended without passage of a bill that would have given state lawmakers more control over the organization that has overseen high school sports for nearly a century.
“We understand that many of the legislators who supported the proposal were doing what they thought was best for high school athletics, but it would have opened the door for a few adults and athletes to build powerhouses while those who respected the rules of fair play were left behind,” Dearing said in a statement following Friday’s session ending.
The measure by Lakeland-area lawmakers to assert more state control over FHSAA failed to be heard on the Senate floor after winning approval from the House. Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, the sponsor of the Senate version of the bill, has said the proposal will return next year unless the FHSAA shows a willingness to abide by the desires of legislators.
The bill would have expanded the ability of students to transfer schools during the school year, given charter and home school students more opportunities to play for public school teams, altered the makeup of the association’s board of directors, given school districts more say over athletic regulations in each county, and set a 2017 date to sunset the 93-year-old organization.
by the News Service of Florida
Weekend Burglary Puts Brakes On Molino Teen’s Championship Kart Racing
May 6, 2013
A weekend burglary has put the brakes on a Molino teen’s championship kart racing team.
Jarrett Parker, 18, is a star of sorts in the world of kart racing, winning state titles and racing his way to the top in several national events. But now his future in the hobby he loves so much is in doubt after someone stole about $12,000 worth of racing gear from his home.
The theft occurred from a workshop at the family’s home on Gibson Road in Molino sometime between about 10:30 Friday night at 6:30 Saturday morning — while the family was sleeping nearby.
“They did this with my wife and kids sleeping in the house, yards from the shop,” Jarrett’s father Scott said. “That just makes me angry that they were here with my family.”
A 2012 Elite Triton kart, five motors, cases of MAXXIS tires, tools and other items were taken from the workshop, while other items not related to kart racing like lawn equipment were left behind.
“We believe it is going to be someone connected to kart racing in some way,” Scott said. “They knew what to take….they passed over cheaper items and knew what brand names were more valuable.”
“This is heartbreaking. We sacrifice so much to do this with our kids and for someone to do this to kids is shameful,” mom Tammy Parker said.
Some of the stolen items, including three motors, belonged to Jarrett’s 10-year old teammate Chambers McGilberry of Selma, Ala. Jarrett Parker has been serving as a mentor for McGilberry for several months.
The burglary is under investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Anyone with information on the crime is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Jarrett Parker Racing is offering a $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons involved in the burglary.
Pictured top: Molino’s Jarrett Parker (#46) leads the pack during a recent kart race. Pictured inset: Jarrett Parker (left) and teammate Chambers McGilberry. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FHSAA Overhaul To Wait Until At Least Next Year
May 6, 2013
The push by Lakeland-area lawmakers to assert more state control over the organization that oversees high school athletics in Florida failed to advance through the Legislature this year.
The measure which would have put new restrictions on investigations by the Florida High School Athletic Association, according to sponsor Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland.
“I’d prefer not to have to work on this again. I’d prefer the FHSAA do what we’ve asked them to do, which is restructure their bylaws (in a way) that is fair to students,” she said.
The bill also would have expanded the ability for students to transfer schools during the school year, give charter and home school students more opportunities to play for public school teams, alter the makeup of the board of directors, give school districts more say over athletic regulations in each county, and set a 2017 date to sunset the 93-year-old organization.
The FHSAA lobbied against the bill. The House had approved the measure 89-26 on April 24.
By The News Service of Florida
Pictured top: The coin toss before the FHSAA District 1A Football Championship game last December in Orlando between Northview and Trenton. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Avoid Sweep With 8-2 Blowout Over Montgomery
May 6, 2013
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos broke out the bats and snapped their season-high five-game losing streak with an 8-2 blowout win over the Montgomery Biscuits on Sunday afternoon at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium in front of a sell-out crowd of 5,038.
Pensacola used two big innings to put the game away early against Montgomery starter Victor Mateo (1-4). With runners on first and second and two outs in the second inning, Michael Gilmartin blooped an RBI double down the left field line to put the Wahoos on the board. Theo Bowe and Devin Lohman followed with RBI singles to open up a three-run advantage for Pensacola.
In the third inning, the Wahoos put the game out of reach in the span of four pitches. With one out and a runner on third, Tucker Barnhart singled up the middle to make it 4-0. On the next pitch, Bryson Smith launched a two-run homer to left center to give Pensacola a six-run lead. After a first-pitch ball, Travis Mattair blasted a solo homer to extend the Wahoos’ lead to seven. It was the first time all season that Pensacola had hit back-to-back homers.
Pensacola would add its eighth run of the day on a solo shot from Gilmartin in the fifth inning. It was Gilmartin’s first homer with the Wahoos and fourth overall this season. Every player in the Pensacola lineup reached base at least once and eight of the nine hitters recorded at least one base hit.
Montgomery chipped into the deficit with a sixth-inning sac fly from Mikie Mahtook and an eighth-inning solo homer from Shawn O’Malley.
Pensacola starter Tim Crabbe (2-1) was the beneficiary of the run support while posting his third quality start of the year. Crabbe gave up a run on four hits while striking out six to match his longest outing of 2013.
The Wahoos will now have an off day tomorrow before traveling to Jacksonville for a five-game series with the Suns. The set starts on Tuesday at 6:05 p.m. CT with Chad Rogers (2-1, 1.47) matching up against Jacksonville’s Matt Neil (0-2, 4.79).
by Kevin Burke
Pictured: The Blue Wahoos topped the Montgomery Biscuits Sunday 8-2. Photos by Gary McCracken for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Chipley Beats Jay In 10 For Region 1-1A Championship
May 4, 2013
The Jay Lady Royals fell short of a return trip to state with a Friday night loss to Chipley.
In Friday night’s Region 1-1A championship game, the Chipley Tigers defeated Jay 4-1 in 10 innings.
Chassity McCranie pitched 10 for the Lady Royals, allowing four runs, 12 hits and striking out four. Sydney Lowery went 2-4 for Jay with two doubles and an RBI. Olivia Wright was 1-3, Destiny Herring was 1-4, and Brittany Gillman was 2-4.